Uva non Grata, Gamay 2024/25

Get to know: Uva non Grata, Gamay 2024

A juicy, fruit-led French Gamay from granite soils near Lyon — carbonic-macerated, no oak, brilliant chilled.

Tasting Note

A cheeky little French red that’s all about juicy, upfront fruit. Bright ruby in the glass, with aromas of red cherry, raspberry and a lift of violet. On the palate, light-bodied and crunchy — fresh berry, gentle tannins, no oak getting in the way. The finish is clean, lively, ultra-drinkable. Gamay at its best, made in a deliberately rebellious style that champions fruit, freshness and a modern French attitude.

Top food pairings:

• Charcuterie or grilled herby sausages
• Roast beetroot and walnut salad with balsamic glaze
• Soft cheeses — Brie, Camembert, fresh goats’ cheese
• Slightly chilled with a Tuesday-night pizza or burger

Kate Says

“A fresh crunchy, fruit forward style of wine. A cute story about this one - apparently Gamay was outlawed by Philip the Bold in 1395, but some rebellious vignerons secretly planted some among the Pinot Noir vines to keep it alive. Thank goodness!”

Producer Info

Uva Non Grata is a wine with a rebellious streak - created in honour of the once-banned Gamay grape (Burgundy duke Philip the Bold famously outlawed it in 1395 because it was outperforming Pinot Noir; vignerons kept it alive by secretly planting it among the Pinot Noir vines). The wine is made by a co-operative of growers just outside Lyon, where granite-rich soils give Gamay its trademark brightness and energy. Minimal intervention in the cellar means the wine shows off pure, juicy varietal character without unnecessary winemaking layers.

How it’s made:

• 100% Gamay
• Hand-harvested early to preserve freshness
• Traditional carbonic maceration for vibrant fruit character (the classic Beaujolais method)
• Fermented in stainless steel  no oak, no fining
• Minimal intervention; vegan-friendly production

Good to know:

• Region: Vin de France, from vineyards near Lyon (granite-rich soils)
• Style: Red, still, light-bodied
• Grape: Gamay 100%
• ABV: 12.5%
• Closure: Screwcap
• Vegan: Yes
• Vintage: 2024
• Serving tip: Brilliant slightly chilled

Why we love it:

Uva Non Grata is properly good Gamay made by a granite-soil co-op near Lyon, carbonically macerated, stainless-steel-aged, no oak. The result is a light-bodied, juicy, crunchy red that drinks well across the board — pizza, charcuterie, salads, midweek anything. Brilliant slightly chilled, the sort of red we hand to anyone who thinks they “only drink white.” Properly versatile.